The Dental Lighthouse with Dr. Jason Tanoory

How Do I Get People To Show Up To Their Appointments?

In this episode of The Dental Lighthouse Podcast, host Jason Tanoory dives deep into practical strategies for tackling patient attrition and improving your practice's recall system. Jason shares insightful approaches for ensuring patients stay on track with their hygiene appointments, how to effectively manage no-shows, and why setting clear expectations with patients is key to success.
Learn how a fully refundable deposit can help protect your hygienist’s time and build accountability, and discover why a simple, clear system for reappointments can drastically reduce patient attrition. Jason also discusses the math behind managing a hygiene department at full capacity and how to maintain a balance between new patient intake and recall schedules. This episode is filled with actionable tips to improve your practice's patient retention and overall efficiency.
Tune in for practical advice on creating systems that are easy to follow, increase reappointment rates, and lead to greater practice success.

Can You Afford to Reduce Clinical Time & Replace it With Team Training Time?

Can you really afford to reduce clinical time and replace it with team training? The answer might surprise you. In this episode, we break down a real coaching call that reveals how reallocating even just one hour per week from chair time to team development can drive significant growth and efficiency.
We dive into the power of structured training, the impact of a well-implemented financial menu, and how small changes in scheduling can lead to increased revenue rather than losses. Learn why stepping away from the whirlwind of clinical work to focus on your team could be the key to unlocking your practice’s full potential.
If you've ever felt stuck in the cycle of working in the business instead of on it, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in and discover how strategic team training can transform the way your practice operates.

How to Run Meetings That Don't Suck - Part Two

Are your weekly meetings truly effective, or are they just going through the motions? In this two-part series, we break down a proven framework for running impactful team meetings that drive accountability, problem-solving, and growth. Learn how to create an environment of trust and vulnerability, ensuring that real issues get addressed—not just surface-level symptoms.
From holding your team accountable to identifying and solving key business challenges, this conversation is packed with actionable insights to help you elevate your meetings and optimize team performance. Whether you’re struggling with patient conversions, team communication, or making sure action items actually get done, this episode will help you transform your meetings into powerful problem-solving sessions.

How to Run Meetings That Don't Suck - Part One

Are your weekly meetings truly effective, or are they just going through the motions? In this two-part series, we break down a proven framework for running impactful team meetings that drive accountability, problem-solving, and growth. Learn how to create an environment of trust and vulnerability, ensuring that real issues get addressed—not just surface-level symptoms.
From holding your team accountable to identifying and solving key business challenges, this conversation is packed with actionable insights to help you elevate your meetings and optimize team performance. Whether you’re struggling with patient conversions, team communication, or making sure action items actually get done, this episode will help you transform your meetings into powerful problem-solving sessions.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where we dive even deeper into optimizing your team’s performance.

What's On Your Partnership Options Menu?

In this episode of The Dental Lighthouse Podcast, host Jason Tanoory dives deep into the world of dental partnerships and ownership with a special focus on creative equity models and strategies for retaining top talent. Joining Jason is a highly experienced dental leader who unpacks the complexities of managing different tiers of partnerships within a growing dental organization.
They discuss various partnership structures, including how debt is handled during partnership transitions, the benefits of the RSU (Restricted Stock Units) model, and how to approach phantom equity or non-equity compensation strategies for doctors. Our guest shares insight into how sweat equity can be a compelling alternative for doctors who aren’t ready to make a large financial commitment but want to eventually have a stake in the practice. The conversation also highlights strategies for motivating and retaining high-producing associates through tailored compensation and equity options.
They explore how thoughtful, one-on-one conversations with associates can uncover what’s truly important to them—whether it's ownership, compensation, work-life balance, or educational opportunities. The episode wraps up with a look at the big-picture strategy behind partnership models and how to manage ownership expectations in a growing practice, offering practical advice for owners seeking long-term stability and a cohesive team.
If you’re navigating the complexities of dental ownership and partnership structures, or just looking for strategies to build a practice that attracts and retains top talent, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

Should I Fire Her?

Letting someone go is never an easy decision, but how do you know when it’s the right one? In this episode, we break down a clear framework to help you evaluate whether a team member should stay or go. It all comes down to two key factors: core values and job performance. Are they a good cultural fit? Are they fulfilling their roles and responsibilities at a high level?
We’ll walk through the steps you need to take before making the final call, including setting clear expectations, coaching, and accountability. If you’ve ever found yourself struggling with whether to fire someone, this episode will give you the guidance and confidence to make the best decision for your team and practice.
Tune in for real-world insights and a structured approach to handling tough conversations in leadership.

Servant Leadership Sprint – Ep 7: Character Development: Becoming the Leader They Deserve

In this final episode of the Servant Leadership Sprint, we explore the critical importance of character development in becoming the leader your team deserves. Drawing on the principles of servant leadership, this episode dives deep into how true leadership is more than just knowing what needs to be done—it's about implementing those actions even when they're uncomfortable. The journey towards developing leadership skills involves going into the "storm," having difficult conversations, and consistently making the right decisions, even when it's easier to avoid them. By developing these habits, you empower your team, enhance your organizational culture, and ultimately drive better results for your business. Tune in for powerful insights and tips that will help you grow as a leader and inspire your team to do the same.
 
If you're interested in taking your leadership skills to the next level, don't miss the upcoming 8-week Servant Leadership Course starting in March. Visit thedentalighthouse.com for more details.

Servant Leadership Sprint – Ep 6: The 8 Principles of Servant Leadership & Agape Love

In this episode of the Servant Leadership Sprint, host Jason Tanoory dives deep into the eight servant leadership principles, with a focus on patience, kindness, and honesty. These principles, rooted in the concept of agape love, guide leaders in developing teams that thrive on empathy, trust, and clear communication. Jason explains how behaviors like impulse control, genuine appreciation, and regular feedback can foster better relationships and create a more successful business culture. You’ll learn how to lead with love, honesty, and integrity, using tools that help cultivate servant leadership.
 
If you're ready to implement these principles and take your leadership skills to the next level, join us for an in-depth, 8-week Servant Leadership course starting in March. Learn more and sign up at thedentallighthouse.com

Servant Leadership Sprint – Ep 5: Winning Models & Meetings: Setting the Tone

In this episode of the Servant Leadership Sprint, we dive into the core concepts of the "Winning Model" and how establishing a clear meeting cadence can set the tone for effective leadership and organizational growth. Host Jason Tanoory shares valuable insights on defining success in your dental practice beyond just numbers and production goals. Learn how to identify your practice’s winning formula using data, a rallying cry, and a winning statement that helps you stay focused on what truly matters. Jason also unpacks how to structure impactful meetings, keeping them on track and free from distractions, to solve real problems and boost team collaboration. Tune in to this crucial episode and set the foundation for success in your practice!
If you’re ready to take your leadership skills to the next level, join us for an in-depth, 8-week Servant Leadership course starting in March. Learn more and sign up at thedentallighthouse.com

Servant Leadership Sprint – Ep 4: Structure & Accountability: How to Lead Effectively

In this episode of the Servant Leadership Sprint, we explore the key elements of team structure and accountability in effective leadership. Team size is a critical factor in managing your practice, with an ideal range being six to 10 people. We’ll break down why having the right team size helps ensure strong relationships, clear roles, and better communication.
 
We’ll dive into the importance of creating an accountability chart, clearly defining roles and responsibilities, and assigning tasks to specific positions within your organization. This not only creates clarity but helps you understand where you might be burning out or where your team needs additional support.
 
If you're interested in diving deeper into these topics, join our 8-week Servant Leadership Course starting March 7th. The course is designed for dental practice owners, office managers, and team leads who want to learn how to build a predictable business through servant leadership principles.
 
Learn more and sign up at TheDentalLighthouse.com.
Next week, we’ll talk about the power of winning and the importance of recognizing achievements to motivate your team!